(Rock Hill SC) — Principal Erica McCray was preparing to celebrate her students and teachers at a schoolwide assembly today for Riverwalk Academy’s recent report card achievements. Yet to everyone’s surprise, that wasn’t all they were celebrating! The assembly culminated with the exciting news that McCray is South Carolina’s newest recipient of the national Milken Educator Award—and a $25,000 cash prize! Dr. Joshua Barnett, representing the Milken Family Foundation as CEO of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, was joined by South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver to present the Award to McCray before a gymnasium of cheering students, educators, dignitaries and media.
“With vision, heart and leading by example, Principal Erica McCray cultivates a school where students and educators alike are valued, supported and inspired to grow,” said Dr. Barnett. “We commend Erica on her dedication to high-quality instruction, ownership of learning, strong parent-teacher relationships, and whole-child success. Congratulations!”
McCray is the state’s 65th Milken Educator Award recipient since South Carolina joined the initiative in 1994.
“Principal McCray embodies the innovation and collaborative spirit powering the South Carolina Surge. Her journey from classroom teacher to literacy coach to principal has shaped a leader who understands what her team needs to help students succeed,” said Superintendent Weaver. “Her work engaging students through project-based learning, empowering teachers to use real-time data, and building meaningful family partnerships is fueling remarkable growth at Riverwalk Academy. Principal McCray is proof positive: great schools start with great leaders.”
The Milken Family Foundation’s 2025-26 tour will honor 30 educators coast to coast—adding to the Milken Educator Network of more than 3,000 professionals nationwide. Created by philanthropist and education visionary Lowell Milken in 1987, the Milken Educator Awards represent America’s preeminent educator recognition initiative, inspiring educators, students and communities to “Celebrate, Elevate and Activate” the K-12 teaching profession. By the end of this season, more than $76 million in individual financial prizes and more than $146 million will have been invested in the Milken Educator Award national network overall.
Outstanding educators like McCray are not aware of their candidacy for the Award. Recipients are sought out while early to mid-career for what they have achieved—and for the promise of what they will accomplish given the resources and opportunities afforded by the Award.
